We all felt a little tingle in our tummies, as we watched Kate the beautiful “commoner” transform into a royal bride, right in front of our very eyes. Her broad eloquent shoulders carrying that visibly heavy dream dress so effortlessly, all the while keeping her eye on her prize prince.  The once average girl-from-next-door got her prince charming- and now the question that echoes in most of our single ears- will the rest of us get our share of the fairytale?

Maybe. See, you don’t really need to marry a prince in this region of the world to throw a 1900 invitee wedding, think Biel in June.  At least, that’s what most of the weddings look like in Lebanon- minus the class. Yes, The Class.

Kate Middleton married into the Windsors, one of the most exclusive families in the world, and sure she had Sara Burton and the entire McQueen team at her disposal but the fact remains, she choose a simple,understated, satin and lace gown with a 2.7 meter train. Heck, I think my neighbor Souraya’s train was at least 5 meters long when she got married.  And guess what, Kate accessorized it with a half-up hairdo and most importantly: she did her own makeup!

Can you imagine what would happen if Souraya was told she couldn’t get her make-up done at someone who probably did Haifa or Nancy’s make-up, but instead would have to settle for a homemade makeover on her big day? The wedding would probably be postponed until Souraya got that appointment because god-forbid Souraya would not look a princess on her wedding day! But Kate Middleton is a princess, she didn’t need Swarovski embellishments on her dress, or any of those fake long acrylic nails, nor did she need three bunches of hair extensions,  instead she had on her best accessories: Grace and Elegance.

Less is more, simple is gorgeous. A lesson we seldom like to learn in Lebanon. We want it big and flashy otherwise we’d pack our bags and get married quietly abroad. Yes, the Royal Wedding cost most than of us would ever make in two lifetimes, but the most-over-the-top items there- were the hats- which were fabulous btw.

Souraya, thought Kate Middleton was a fool!  “What kinda princess would settle for such a tiny tiara” , she yelled into the television! But what would it take for Souraya to have dropped the see-through flashy excessively puffy dress, stripper heels and hideous flower arrangements? If the Queen-To-Be did it, surely she can too. Bisoux

For more of my occasional rants on Lebanese Weddings you can also read I Hate Wedding Season In Lebanon and Lebanese Wedding- Party or Freakshow?